Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Career
    • Charity
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as trickyĀ as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 39 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).Ā  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forgetĀ Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. BeyoncĆ© was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    How to Treat Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Dermatologists

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this.
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urgeĀ to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.Ā  ThisĀ decade's first bigĀ hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bobĀ —Ā theĀ most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut willĀ still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020'sĀ bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.Ā  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 isĀ going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.Ā  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.Ā  VIDEO:Ā The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Joe Biden Broke Barack Obama's Nationwide Popular Vote Record

    Obama's record goes back to 2008.
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Career
    • Charity
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Fashion Chevron Right
  3. Clothing Chevron Right
  4. 5 Easy Steps to Flawless Style

5 Easy Steps to Flawless Style

By Instyle
Updated Feb 03, 2015 @ 1:37 pm
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Florian Seefried/Getty

5 Easy Steps to Flawless Style

Start Slideshow

1 of 5

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

1. Find Your Signature Look

Credit: Jason Kempin/WireImage; George Pimentel/WireImage

The key to looking fabulous begins with identifying what kind of style personality you have. Pull inspiration images from magazines, books and websites and make a list of your favorite clothing items. Ask yourself some questions: Do you find yourself favoring trendy pieces or perennial classics like pencil skirts, cardigans and pumps? Do you love tailored pieces for work, but more easygoing looks on the weekend? To make the process easier, focus on the style icons that you admire the most, like risk-taking Sarah Jessica Parker or ever-elegant Reese Witherspoon.

1 of 5

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 5

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

2. Clean Out Your Closet

Credit: William Waldron

After you hone in on the looks you like most, make a list of your preferences to help define your style succinctly (for example, "ladylike luxe" or "laid-back hippie chic"). Now comes the hard part: sticking to this defined style. Edit out pieces that don't fit the criteria. Anything borderline gets the cut, including pieces you only feel brave enough to wear once in a while. Why so harsh? Because style icons know what works for them and they stick to their formula no matter what.

2 of 5

3 of 5

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

3. Make Sure Your Clothes Fit!

Credit: Dave Gadd/Globe Photos; James Devaney/WireImage

The key to a flattering wardrobe is all about fit and proportion. Good fit means clothes skim the body (i.e., they show curves without clinging to them) and all details lie flat. Clothing that pulls or buckles not only looks sloppy, it also adds pounds. Of course, everything can fit properly, but if you don't get the proportions right, you will still be off the mark. Flattering your figure is a balancing act-you must consider the length of your legs in relation to your torso and the width of your shoulders in relation to your hips (discover the items that flatter your figure at InStyle.com/fittool). Last but not least, remember to play up your strengths. Whether you have sexy cleavage or great legs, use clothes to highlight your best features.

3 of 5

Advertisement

4 of 5

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

4. Choose Your Colors

Credit: Seth Browarnik/Startraks; Ethan Miller/Getty
  • Everyone can wear color-it all comes down to finding the right hues for you. The shades that suit you depend on your skin tone as well as the color of your hair and eyes. Some general guidelines are as follows:
  • Women with pale skin and dark hair and women with blond hair (like Sienna Miller in a bold Jonathan Saunders design) often do well with saturated brights such as violet, royal blue and emerald green.
  • Women with mediumbrown to dark-blond hair and warmer, darker skin tones (like Eva Longoria Parker in Matthew Williamson) often do better with tempered alternatives such as lavender, coral, turquoise and olive green.

4 of 5

5 of 5

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

5. Get a Great Haircut

Credit: Florian Seefried/Getty

Your hair is your constant accessory-the right style flatters your face shape and makes the most of your features(just think of how gorgeous Salma Hayek looked when she debuted her new bob!). Yes, good haircuts can be expensive, but what they add to your overall appearance make them worth every penny. Just be sure to get a cut you can manage at all times-not one that looks good only when a professional styles it.

5 of 5

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Instyle

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 5 1. Find Your Signature Look
2 of 5 2. Clean Out Your Closet
3 of 5 3. Make Sure Your Clothes Fit!
4 of 5 4. Choose Your Colors
5 of 5 5. Get a Great Haircut

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

5 Easy Steps to Flawless Style
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.